fruit of Ullucus (Basellaceae), an old enigma

The fruit of the cultivated ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Loz.) has been referred to in the literature either as non-existing or as a berry, seldom as a dry fruit. The fruit of this species as well as the genus is described here for the first time, and is shown to be a dry and indehiscent nutlet of an o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Taxon 1988-02, Vol.37 (1), p.71-75
Main Authors: Rousi, A, Yli-Rekola, M, Jokela, P, Kalliola, R, Pietila, L, Salo, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Berries
Biological and medical sciences
Biological taxonomies
Carpels
Crops
Embryos
form factors
fruit
Fruits
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Literature
Morphology, anatomy, histology, cytology
Pericarp
Plant cytology, morphology, systematics, chorology and evolution
Plants
Spermatophyta
Tubers
Ullucus tuberosus
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Description
Summary:The fruit of the cultivated ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus Loz.) has been referred to in the literature either as non-existing or as a berry, seldom as a dry fruit. The fruit of this species as well as the genus is described here for the first time, and is shown to be a dry and indehiscent nutlet of an obovate shape and bilaterally symmetrical cross-section. The thin testa of the seed is immediately inside the thickened fruit wall. The embryo is strongly curved and encircles the relatively scanty perisperm.
ISSN:0040-0262
1996-8175
DOI:10.2307/1220935